Away just after 9 this morning (Wed 27th July). We waited for NB Alice to join us in the first lock of the day (Crofton Bottom Lock); we were going to pull over and fill the water tank but just as we were about to pull out of the lock, the manager of Crofton Pumping Station covered the tap with a bin bag - there was apparently something wrong with the water pump! Ironic!
Into lock 2 of the day ...
... with NB Alice - Nan, Grandad and 2 grandsons
No wasting water at Adapters Lock as there's a widebeam hire boat waiting at the top
George is telling a tall story whilst waiting for Crofton Top Lock to be ready ...
... after which tall trees overshadow the canal ...
... all the way to ...
... Bruce Tunnel - note again the Aylesbury family - great landowners in this area ...
... and in we go - nice and straight and not too long (just 502-yards) ...
... but with very little water - you can see two chains along the wall on the left-hand side - one for when the canal is in flood and the other when it's low ...
... like today - it's about 20" down
Back into the sunshine we soon arrive at Burbage Wharf ...
... where there's an ongoing project to rebuild the wharfside crane (first erected in 1831) ...
... but as you can see - it's not there yet!!
A land rover in camouflage?? ...
... with a lathe on the roof - someone must be an enthusiastic carpenter!
Into Cradley Lock (Wooton Top Lock) ...
... with it's spouting walls ...
... and then into Brimslade Lock where George is just about to disappear!
Heath Close Lock next where the spouts are even bigger - I'm glad I'm on the 'other side' cos if I wasn't I'd be getting rather wet standing at the helm ...
... NB Alice is short enough to be forward of the water spout ...
... whilst on my side of the lock it was like a car boat wash!
After mooring on the 24-hour rings and saying cheerio to NB Alice, we walked into the village of Wooton Rivers ...
... up to the Royal Oak ...
... where we stopped for a pint (George) and a J2o for me!
... and then I just had to take a picture of Mortimer's Cottage - but no sign of Bones!
St. Andrew's Church which was unfortunately locked ...
... with its unusual clock numbering - reads Glory be to God ...
... 14th century Wootton Rivers - The Vale of Pewsey Team
... reads: Sr. Miche: Ernley Bart. of Brimslade hath erected this stone in memory of John Butcher who was an honest carpenter to him twenty years, who after being worn out with a long and lingering illness, departed this life y 7th day August, in the year of our Lord 1760 and in the 61st year of his age.
In art and industry (when able) none surpassed him.
What an epitaph!
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